Federal Mediation Group Asked To Participate In CBA Talks Between NFL, Refs

The Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service has been asked to participate in the ongoing labor talks between the NFL Referees Association and the NFL for a new CBA, NFLRA General Counsel Michael Arnold confirmed last night. Arnold said that the referees' union, which represents 121 NFL game referees and officials, asked the NFL to agree to federal mediation after a bargaining session with the league Monday. Arnold confirmed that the NFL yesterday agreed to involvement by the FMCS, which also participated in mediating last year's NFL lockout. Arnold said in a text to SportsBusiness Journal, "The FMCS has advised that the NFL has agreed to allow them (FMCS) to participate in our negotiations." The NFLRA CBA, which was agreed to in '06, expires on May 31. Arnold declined to say what the issues were in the negotiation. He also declined to say if the fact that the referees asked for the assistance of the FMCS meant the two parties could not get a deal done on their own. “The only thing it means is that we have not yet reached an agreement,” he said. Arnold added that the referees have not taken a vote to strike if they do not reach a deal with the league. “Our officials will continue to perform their duties,” he said. “We are getting ready for the season.”